288 BATTLES OF THE BIBLE.

but the reason of his success is told: “ As long as he
sought the Lord, God made him to prosper. This
teaches us that if we would win the favour of men, we
must begin by seeking the favour of God. It would
have been interesting to have known more of the reign
of Uzziah. He kept his soldiers in good order—well
disciplined and well armed. He built towers of defence
in Jerusalem, and towers also he built in the wilderness
to defend his herdsmen and vine-dressers from their
enemies ; he increased the number of his cattle, and
employed many husbandmen, for he took much interest
in the labours of the field. Mention is made in his
reign of the making of engines to throw darts and
stones from a besieged city upon its besiegers, and this
is the first mention we have of such machines.

George. Did Uzziah invent them himself? He had
had been a very clever man.

Grandfather. The Bible does not tell us that the king
invented them, but that he made in Jerusalem engines
invented by cunning men. But on account of them his
fame spread far ; so perhaps we may impute the honour
of the invention to Uzziah himself.

Marianne. Uzziah had been a very good king, I
think. |

Grandfather. He was so in the first part of his reign,
but when he grew famous he became proud, and trans-
gressed against the Lord. He wished to burn incense
in the temple, which is permitted to no one but the
priests. They forbade him to do it, and while he was